Cherry growers in Western Australia, should focus on producing enough fruit to meet statewide demand, as well as exports, according to the head of the state grower’s body. “Given the fact that current Western Australian production is about half of annual consumption, it seems to me sensible for local growers to concentrate on selling to the WA market,” said former president of the WA Cherry Grower’s Association, Gary Fergusson. Annual consumption in Western Australia is approximately 1,000 to 1,200 tonnes. Every summer WA imports around 500-700 tonnes mostly from South Australia and Tasmania, with small amounts from Victoria and NSW.
While export markets may end up being lucrative for the WA industry, they are also fraught with potential roadblocks, which might be outside the grower’s control, Mr Fergusson added. Australia is a small player compared to the Northern Hemisphere for cherry exports, producing 10,000 to 14,000 tonnes annually, shipping around half that, but other Southern Hemisphere countries now export upwards of 50,000 tonnes, at a lower cost of production, according to him.
Getting into export markets will take significant work from growers, too, Mr Fergusson said. “Asian and European importers will inspect fruit upon arrival, and often 'agreed' prices are downgraded arbitrarily,” he told Fresh Plaza. “From my observations, the most successful exporters are those who have invested significant time and money in personally visiting prospective clients in order to establish sound relationships based on mutual trust.”
In order to revive diminishing returns within the local market, Mr Fergusson recommended growers encourage ‘farm gate’ sales, and an exceptional visitor experience. “Nothing beats the sun for providing those essentials sugars in the fruit, and Western Australian cherries definitely have superb flavour and crunch no doubt because of the warmer temperatures,” he said. He also agrees with earlier comments from Simon Boughey, head of Cherry Growers Australia, that technology advances are able to help the growers in the area.
Managing rainfall issues is a matter for each individual grower, according to Mr Fergusson, but there are certainly varieties that can thrive in the WA climate. “Low chill varieties have been around for many years and can be very successful,” he said. “New varieties are being produced around the world every year. It is up to each individual to workout what is best for his/her business.”
Some areas within WA would be good for expansion of cherry growing operations, Mr Fergusson concluded. “There are a few areas which come to mind, around York, Katanning, Jarrahdale, Boddington and Wandering, if good water is available. Pickering Brook has some excellent valleys which are ideal, and because of it's proximity to Perth it is ideally placed for 'farm gate' sales. (29km from CBD).”
